Tandem axle suspension spring seat mounting



TANDEM AXLE SUSPENSION-SPRING SAT MOUNTING Filed June 11, 1953 Oct. 22, 1957 L. G. BOUGHNER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Oct. 22,- 1957 l.. G. BOUGHNER 25810587 TANDEM AXLE SUSPENSION SPRING SEAT MOUNTING Filed June :gli 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y if :i

INVENTOR LAWRENCE (i BQUGHNER .2:1 3 j [wm/M91 ATTORNEYS United States PatentV O TNDEM AXLE SUSPENSN SPRING SEAT Lawrence G. Boughner, Detroitl\/Iich.,.assignor, by mesne assgnments to Rockwell Spring and', Axle Company, Coraopolis, Pa.,4 a corporation of Pennsylvania Applicationlunell, 1.953, Serial No..361,'053,

13 Claims. (Cl. 2811-1045)- the trunnion being: one Well known construction, and another being the. provision of tapered roller bearing assemblies betweenl the spring seat and"y the trunnion. The, difculty'with thesefmetalbearings, which are. designed for partswhich, are inzmore or less-continuous rotation rather than the relatively low amplitude oscillationwhich .is encountered in spring -seat trunnion bearings,4 is., that .such

oscillation usuallyA results iii-.relatively high unit area pressures over only a part of the entire bearing .and soon results in galling or otherA deformation ofl the bearingsurfaces which becomes cumulative ,and eventually results in failure, ofthe entire suspension. Also-rthese metal bearingsmust be lubricatedand if .that isneglected, they Soon wear and; fail.,

The various ldifficulties encountered withspring-'seat trunnion metal bearingsha-ve `resulted -in efforts to,l use I other type bearings, which are. more. particularly suited to the nature of the bearing action encountered inA spring seat trunnionmountings. It'has been. proposed for example: to,- providerubber sleeve bushings between, the spring seat, and the-trunnion. Since they are. directY installations, there rubber bushings of the prior art'for the main ypart require considerable machining of spring; seat` and: trunnion to prepare for, reception of the rubber cylinder `sleeve inthe assembly, and as .amatter ofv actuai practicey the use of these rubber bushings has been coninedmainly to conversion. kits whichtalthough, inexpensive of themselves require considerable labor for; installation ofthe rubber bushings in place. of thev conventional metalf'bushings already inthe assembly.

However, both inA initial 'installations andfin conversion assemblies, serious operational diiculties vhave alsov been encounteredv with these prior rubber bushings. The chief problem which has been encountered` in attempting to use such rubber bushings has been the diiicul'ty ofssecuring the inner and outer peripheries of the rubber sleeve againstv rotation. on. the spring seat and the trunnion to prevent undue wear and deterioration due. tofriction generatedv heat, and itzhasbeenfound..necessary in many Aof these installations: to use; extremelyl Vhi'glrtorquea fas:- tening. elements which# require expensivel parts Aof considerable mechanicaltstrength. Further, the useV ofhigh compression rubber sleeve holding deviceswhich have been proposed to secure the rubber sleevev on. the trunnion ICC frequently pinch the-ends of the rubber sleeves and give mounting which. employs. a resilient bushing assembly .between .the spring seatmemberandthextrunnion, and

.thebushingtassembly is of such'novel. character andis-so mounted; that the foregoingdiiculties. of the. prior art are elimina-ted and avoided.

Withtheaboye in mind. it isa-major objectfof the -invention to. provide a tandem. axle` vehicle suspension -wluereinthe yspringseat is mounted. for oscillation ontfhe trunnion:.b y anovel resilient bushing-,arrangement It is,` a.-furtherf objectV of my invention to provide a1 novel resilient bushing assembly for use. between, a trunnion andf `a spring seat mounted for oscillation on the. trunnion wherein a sleeve of rubber is maintained. under radial-compression between inner and outer metallic shells Yandthe.partshaVe such specialvconstruction and relative dimensions. and, are so secured` thatoscillation of the spring. seat: about the trunnion is takenV up internally within therbody of the rubber with no slippage between .therubher bushing and adjacent meta-1 surfaces or betweemthe :bushing shells and adjacent metalsurfa'ces.

Itlis-,affurther object of my rinventiontto.- providea Aspring seatv .trunnionbushingconstruction wherein a rubber sleeve is; heldt under radial compression lbetween inner and-router, thinmetal shells. and Awherein the 'inner shell: is

-ogreaterzaxial legth' thany thefrubber sleeve in Vthe assemblyand is-.secu-red=to1the trunnionin a.novel.m'anner.

vIt isfa :further object of the inventiionftorprovid'e. ina resiliently hushed spring seat?. trunnion' mounting in; a tandem. axle suspension a special coacting bracket and vbushing,construction wherein the vinner end of fthe bush- -ingfis formed to. intert with the bracket that supports the-trunnion.

A further object of the invent-ion: is tolprovide-fa: novel readilyV removable resilient bushing ararngement vin a spring seat. trunnionA mounting. Y;

Aturther object of the. inventionis to provide .iny a .springg'seat trunnion mounting for tandem `axle vehicles andtthe: like a novel fastening'arrangement for securing a resilient bushing assemblyupon a trunnionfwherein .a specialv fasteningmea-nsexerts alv longitudinal force which locks. the inner sleeve. of the .bushing assembly to the bracket .that supports the trunnion.

It.-isanother object of the inventionv toprovidea-vnovel resilient, spring; seat trunnion mounting that is. sealed against entry of dirt, water and like corrosive or dev.teriorative material.

,Eurtherfobjects of the invention will presently appear as. the ..description proceeds.v in connection with the appendedclaimsand .the annexed. drawings wherein;

Figure ll is a side elevation illustrating a vehicle tandemaxle assembly which is-general1y conventional as far as-.this invention isl concerned except for the' mannerv of bushing. the spring. seat on the trunnion;

Figure .2 is arfragmentary enlarged.v section substantially on, lineJ 2--2 of. Figure Vl illustrating theV cross. tube support bracket and. details of the resilient bushing; assembly andthe .manner of securing it upon the trunnion ata each side. of the. Vehicle;`

Figure. 3. is. a generally perspective `view'of the. inner `shell. of the rubber bushing showing the abuttingv edges ing details of the end clamp for the inner shell of the bushing.

Referring to Figure 1, a tandem axle bogie suspension assembly is illustrated as underlying and supporting the chassis 11 of a motor truck. This bogie comprises front and rear drive axles 12 and 13, respectively, upon the opposite ends of which are seated the ends of springs 14 that have their mid-points secured to spring seats 15 that are mounted for oscillation upon trunnions on the opposite ends of a stationary cross tube 16 which extends transversely of the vehicle substantially parallel to the axles and is non-rotatably secured within bracket assemblies 17. Y A series of torque rods 18, 19, 20 and 21 have their opposite ends resiliently and universallyconnected to the axles and the brackets 17, thereby providing a substantially parallelogram arrangement which effectively resists drive and brake torque at the axles and which aid in preserving the longitudinal spacing of the axles 12 and 13 in the suspension.

The structure of the drive axles, torque rods and springs and theirrgeneral association which make up the bogie assembly are not part of the claimed invention which is concerned essentially with the manner in which each spring seat is mounted for oscillation on its `trunnion and the special resilient spring seat trunnion bushing construction.

As illustrated in Figure 2, each bracket 17 comprises an upper section 22 secured to the side rail of chassis 11 as by bolts 23, and a lower section 24. Bracket sections 22 and 24 are formed with opposed semi-cylindrical portions 25 and 26 respectively providing a bore adapted to surround the slightly reduced end portion 27 of cross tube 16, and flanges 28 and 29 throughwhich pass bolts 31 for clamping the bracket sections tightly about the cross tube. The bracket bore is preferably slightly smaller in n diameter than tube portion 27 to kinsure this tight lit. The

bracket is formed with a thickened circumferential rib 32 through which one or more studs 33 extend and are locked by nut 34 for positively non-rotatably connecting the cross tube to the bracket.

Thus, at opposite sides of the vehicle, cross tube 16 is supported by and held against rotation in brackets 17. The cross tube projects away from the chassis through each bracket 17 and the projecting portions at each side of the vehicle serve as tixed trunnions 35 each` having a cylindrical outer periphery 36.

The spring seat 15 comprises a normally horizontal platform 37 to which the mid-portion of the spring 14 is secured as by U-bolts 38, and an integral boss 39 that surrounds trunnion 3S and has an internal smooth cylindrical bore 41. The spring seat is mounted for oscillation upon the trunnion by a resilient bushing assembly, generally designated at 42 and consisting of an outer thin metal shell 43, an inner thin metal shell 44 and a stretched sleeve 45 of rubber or like resilient material maintained under high radial compression between the 'end Vedges of the sheet are externally beveled at 48 to provide on the shell at each end an annular continuous smooth inclined surface for a purpose to appear.

The outer shell 43 is thinner than the inner shell and a continuous metalcylinder which is appreciably shorter than inner shell 44. The rubber sleeve 45 is cylindrical and longer than shellV 43 but shorter than inner shell 44.

Sleeve 45 is of substantially uniform thickness between the coextensive portions of the shells 43 and 44 where it Yis radially compressed. At each end, substantially where it emerges from between the coextensive portions of the shells, rubber sleeve 45 is formed with decreasingly tapered thinner portions 49 that terminate substantially at the inner edges of the inclined surfaces 48 of the inner shell. These portions 49 snugly surround the inner shell but are unconned otherwise.

The entire resilient bushing assembly is made up apart from the trunnion and spring seat, using special mandrels and other tools for axially stretching the original rubber sleeve to incorporate it between the shells and releasing it to be heid under radial compression between the shells. The bond between the molded rubber sleeve and the shell surfaces in such construction is such that it is maintained against slippage under many times the torque expectedly encountered in operation of the vehicle. "This particular method of assembling the unit 42 is not part of the present invention, but the special bushing construction and association with the spring seat, trunnion and other vehicle parts do constitute important features of the invention. It is also within the scope of the invention to use a bushing assembly wherein the shells are vulcanized or otherwise bonded to the rubber sleeve. When the resilient bushing assembly 42 is to be mounted vin the vehicle, the outer shell 43 is preferably first tightly press fitted within bore 41 of the spring seat to mount the entire bushing 42 on the spring seat 15, then the assembled spring seat and bushing are slipped over the trunnion end, the inner diameter of shell 44 being enough larger than trunnion 35 to permit this sliding lit, and special fastening means hereinafter to be described secure inner shell 44 to the trunnion. In some spring seat constructions a split spring seat construction like that of the Van Raden patent may be used to secure the spring seat non-rotatably to shell 43.

The end of Vthe bracket 17 facing the trunnion is pro- 'vided with an annular recess 51 and an inclined annular smooth conical surface 52 surrounding trunnion surface 36. The cone angle of surface 52 is the same as or Vslightly greater than that of inclined` surface 48 of the inner shell so that as illustrated in Figure 2 the inner end Vof shell 44 enters the bracket bore in the assembly.

Bracket 17 also has an annular radial face 50 adapted to Vengage the adjacent end of rubber sleeve 45 in the assembly. A resilient O-ring 53 is disposed in recess 51 in sealing engagement with the trunnion and bracket -and retained there by the end of the inner shell 44-thus preventing the entrance of dirt and water into the interior of the trunnion.

At the outer end of the trunnion, an internal annular `shoulder 54 at the bottom of counterbore 67 seats a block 55 having a threaded bore 56 coaxial with the trunnion, the outer end of block 55 lying inwardly of the outer end face 57 of the trunnion. Block 5S is secured to the trunnion 35 as by welding. A cup-shaped clamping plate 58 has an internal annular inclined substantially conical surface 59 o f the same angle as or slightly greater than at 48 and adapted to engage surface 48 at the outer end of shell 44, and a ilat annular radial inner end face 61 adapted to engage the adjacent end of rubber sleeve 45.

Plate 58 has a central opening 62 through which freely extends theshank ofa bolt 63 threaded in bore 56 and having its larger head engaging the outer side of plate 58, so that when bolt 63 is rotated in the proper direction plate 58 is displaced axially inwardly of trunnion 35 and that it does not engage the trunnion directly. vEngagement of surfaces 59' and 48 imparts several force components to inner shell 44,V an axial component which forces -its inner end into the bracket recess and against surface V52, and radial components that crimp both ends of the 'shell' 44 into friction tight engagement with trunnion sur- -face 36. As indicated at 64 the ends of rubber sleeve 45 are compressed during this assembly by engagement with surfaces Stland 61 to form opposite end seals and cushions with the bracket and the trunnion end plate whereby the rinterior of the trunnion is sealed against the entry of dirt .bushing assembly, and usually'a sealinggasketis provided betweenthe cap andspring' seat.

In the assembly, when bolt 63. isY drawn tight, thel inner end'of inner shell 44 is jammed'into the bracket recess andthereby crimped and .clamped onto the trunnionsur- 'face' at vthe same' time that the outer'end' of shell 44 is similarly crimped. and' clamped onto` thev trunnion'surface by'the advance of plate 58. The angleof inclination at surfaces 48, 52' and 59 is chosen with regard to shell material. and thickness andfor. simultaneous crimping of the inner shell ends.. If this. angle isY too steep there is insuihcient" crimping of the shell ends',. Whereas if'the angle is'too shallow there is a possibility of. clamping the outer end of the shell 44 to the trunnion before the. shell has been displaced axially'enough to engageV the bracket surface 52. If desired, by makingY the angle of the surfaces 52 and 48 at' the inner'endofthe shell. 44 somewhat l'ess than the angle of surfaces 48' and. 59` at the outer end of the shell, I may'insure thatthe inner end is completely'crimpedto the crosstube before Vthe outer end is. completely crimped to the crosstube'. I'n" a satisfactory nine inch long rubber bushing assembly 42V wherein. the

outer'shellis of steelhaving an outer diameter of about.

4%?" and a wall thickness. of about ls andthe inner shell is of' steel having an inner diameter of about' 3`1/2" and'V a wall thickness of about' W16", I" employ an angle of about' 18` for4 surfaces 48`and the notches 47` are about M wide and may be of' U`shape or Vshape as desired. This also providesV adequate area of. surface engagement so that the shell' ends may be crimped. without exceeding theelastic limit of the material in compression.

During operation ot`- the vehicle as the springseat oscill'ates about the trunnion, shells '43 and 44 remain.

tighLand non-rotatable with the spring seat and trunnion respectively and'- the. oscillation is both cushioned and resiliently permitted by rubber sleeve 45 throughout its radially compressed. length which is not subjected to. any conicting clamping forces that might nndesirably react with respect to the torsional forces to produce localized high stresses and. failure inthe bushing. Since no por- Y tion of. the rubber sleevewhich undergoestorsional stress rubber sleeve at maximum spring seat rotational travel.v

As a practical matter it has been found `that due to variations .in tolerances ofthe parts and'` ,differentvehicle frame widths, the amount that .trunion 35"projects out from .the frame may vary in different. vehicles. These variations may be taken care of readily in theinv'entionas shown. in Figure 4 by insuring that the interiorv of plate 5S is recessed deeply enough at 60 to clear variations fin trunnion standout for at least a predetermined range indicated at b in Figure 4, and bolt 63 is made correspondingly long.

Figures 5 and. 6 illustrate a further embodiment ,ofthe invention wherein the end clamping means for securing the inner shellto the trunnion is of differentV construction.

l In this construction the outer end of the trunnion is formed' with cylindrical counterbore 67 in which, is

axially' slidably mounted a circular block or nut 6.8,.having a. central threadedY bore 69,. Nut 68 is formed with. a diametral slot 71l for receiving a tongue 72' projecting inwardlyfrom clamp plate 73 so that nut 68.and.plate 73 are non-rotatably interconnected. Tongue 72 protrudes. from la circular rib 74 on the interior of .plate 73 which has its external periphery adjacent .but inwardly of asnp ring 7'5 disposed* in na `groove 76. incounterbore67`z. Thelpurpose of snap ring^iis;to'limit'axial'outward displacement ofnutf68, andthepurpose of' rib'74 is to retain the `snap ring-in" its groove. Y

Internallyplate'73 is formed-,With substantially conical surface 7 7 whichA 'is the isame' as surface- 59; andr which coacts witl'r shell 44 'as inthe .rst` embodiment. When bolt `163,` which passes' freely Vthroughl clamp plate-'73, is drawn-tight"the"cl`amp plate, frictionally engages the bushingy shell andi-'tongue 72prev ents rotation of nut 68 relative tothe-clamp plate so, that-the entire unitmay be tightenedl on' the trunnionend".

invention provides 'ani improved' trunnion construction which is eilectivelyr sealedgagainst the entry of dirt, waterandlikeforeignmatter'so that corrosion, deteriorationandwear are minimized. The. O`ring 531seals againstentry' of dirtandwater longitudinally, along the trunnion'surface, ,andpthe compressed ends of the sleeve 45' seal against entryiof-'dirt and water at the. ends of the bushing: The cap 65extends, over and sealsotf the 4clamp plateandbolt and the outerA end ofvr the bushing. This sealing-arrangement increases.; the useful life. of' the.as sembl'y.A and i'tfa'cilitatesreplacement and repair operations.

Anothereadvantage. ofthe foregoing constructionI of the invention is that it facilitatesremoval. ofthe bushings Vwhenireplacement'is necessary after long usage. Usually thebnshing42is Aso disposedin the tassembly'that notches 47`A are-located at'the'top so asA to be readily accesible when the capand clamp plate are removed. Forrepl'acing a bushing 42, Ytirst capA 65" andl clamp .plate 58 are removed; "Ehen-bolts' 31 areremoved or-l'oosened .enough toseparate'thebracketsectionsuntil the;trunnion is free -ofthe'bracketattheinneriend offthe bushing, )When a rare provided primarily; for aidingl crimping of the shell ends and secondarily to ai'din starting splitting of the shell during removal.

rPhe invention may be'embodied" in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof; The present embodiments are therefore .to be consideredI in all Vrespects as illustrative andnot restrictive, the scope of: the invention being indicated. by the appended claimsrather'than bythe foregoing description, and-all changes which come within the meaning and'range of equivalency ofthe claims'are therefore intendedV to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired t'o be secured by United States Letters lPatent is:

1. InY a tandem axle vehicle. suspension, a relatively stationary trunnion, a spring seat mounted for. oscillation about; said trunnion, a resilient' bushing Vinterposed between the spring seat and trunnion comprising a sleeve of resilient` material, an outer thinmjetal shell tight with. said sleeveA and secured to said spring seat and an inner thin metal shell tight with said sleeve, and surrounding said trunnion, saidsleeveof resilientmaterial hav-ing'its outer ends outwardly radially unconiined andv terminating` short ofthe ends of said inner shell, deformable end ,portions onsaid inner shell disposed axially outwardly of `said resilient sleeve ends, and means disposed essentially axially outwardly of said resilient sleevev ends for substan-V tially simultaneously radially deforming :both Vsaidend portions ofsaidinner shell. to tightly grip` said trunnion while leaving. the. resilient sleeve free rof any radial .or axial clamping .by said -deforming meansthat would. set

up localized stresses tending 7 Y Y to modify operation Aof the resilient sleeve in torsion during operation.

. 2. In a tandem axle vehicle suspension, 'a relatively stationary trunnion, a spring seat mounted for oscillation about said trunnion, a resilient bushing interposed between the spring seat and trunnion comprising a relatively thick sleeve of resilient material, an outer thin metal shell axially shorter than Vsaid sleeve tightly secured to said sleevei'and said spring seat and an inner thin metal shell axially longer than said sleevesurrounding said trunnion, and means securing said inner shell to said trunnion comprising beveled endson said inner shell beyond said sleeve, means providing an inclined wall socket surrounding the inner end of said trunnion and adapted to receive the beveled inner end'of said inner shell, and a clamp mounted for axial adjustment on the'outer end of said trunnion having an inclined wall socket receiving the beveled outer end of said inner shell, said clamp when adjusted axially inwardly along said trunnion urging the beveled ends of the inner shell tightly into said sockets and thereby causing the beveled ends of said inner shell to be circumferentially contracted substantially at the` same time and crimped 'tightly about Vsaid trunnion without clamping the resilient sleeve ends.

3. A resilient bushing assembly for mounting a spring seat for oscillation upon a trunnion in a tandem axle vehicle suspension comprising a Aradially compressed sleeve of rubber or like resilient material surrounded by an outer thin metal shell and lined by an inner thin metal shell, the outer shell being shorter than the sleeve and the inner shell being longer than said sleeve, and means providing deformable end portions on said inner shell formed with axially inclined smooth clamp surfaces beyond the ends of said sleeve, said end portions being adapted to be crimped upon thetrunnion.

4. The bushing assembly defined in claim 3, wherein said opposite ends of the inner shell are longitudinally ,for oscillation on said trunnion, a bushing comprising a sleeve of resilient material under radial compression between inner and outer metal shells interposed between the spring seat and the trunnion, said inner shell projecting axially beyond said sleeve at both ends and being there formed with deformable end portions, and means for securing said inner shell of the bushing assembly against rotation relative to the trunnion comprising a member mounted for axial adjustment on the outer end of said trunnion, and coacting means on said bracket and member eiective upon inward axial adjustment of said member along the trunnion for substantially simultaneously crimping said deformable inner shell end portions upon said trunnion for clamping the opposite ends of said inner shell to the trunnion without clamping the adjacent ends of said resilient sleeve.

7. In the suspension defined in claim 6, said (deformable end portions being beveled and said brackets and member being formed with coacting sockets for receiving the beveled ends of said inner shell and deforming them during said axial adjustment into tight engagement with said trunnion.

8. In a tandem axle vehicle suspension, a relatively stationary trunnion, a spring seat mounted for oscillation on said trunnion, a resilient bushing between said spring seat and said trunnion, said bushing comprising a resilient sleeve compressed between inner and outer shells secured respectively to the spring seat and trunnion respectively,

-a chassis mounted bracket supporting said trunnion inwardly of said bushing, an axially movableV member mounted on the outer 'end of said trunnion, coacting means on said member and bracket for clamping said inner shell to said trunnion, and coacting substantially radial surfaces on said member and bracket abutting opposite ends of said sleeve. v

9. In a tandem axle vehicle suspension, a relatively stationary trunnion, a spring seat mounted for oscillation about said trunnion, a resilient bushing interposed between the spring seat and trunnion comprising a sleeve of resilient material, an outer thin metal shell axially shorter than said sleeve tightly secured to said sleeve and said spring seat and an inner thin metal shell axially longer tlinsaid sleeve surrounding said trunnion, and

means securing said inner shell to said trunnion comprising beveled ends on said inner shell beyond said sleeve, means providing an inclined wall socket surrounding the inner end of said trunnion and adapted to receive the beveled inner end of said inner shell, means providing ,a flat annular surface surrounding said inner socket, a clamp mounted for axial adjustment on the outer end of said trunnion having an inclined wall socket receiving the beveled outer end of said inner shell and means providing a fiat annular surface on said clamp surrounding said outer socket, said clamp when adjusted axially inwardly along said trunnion urging the beveled ends of the inner shell tightly into said sockets and thereby causing the beveled ends .of said inner shell to be contracted substantially at the same time and crimped tightly about said trunnion, and said surfaces abutting and axially cornpressing Vthe opposite ends of said sleeve in the assembly 'to form seals against the entrance of foreign matter.

y10. Ina tandem axle vehicle suspension, a relatively stationary trunnion, a spring seat mounted for oscillation about said trunnion, a resilient bushing interposed between the spring seat and trunnion comprising a sleeve of resilient material, an outer thin metal shell axially shorter than said sleeve tightly secured to said sleeve and said spring seat and an inner thin metal shell axially longer than said sleeve surrounding said trunnion, and means securing said inner shell to said trunnion comprising beveled ends on said inner shell beyond said sleeve, means providing an inclined wall socket surrounding the inner end of said trunnion and adapted to receive the beveled inner end of said inner shell, a clamp mounted for axial adjustment on the outer end of said trunnion having an inclined wall'socket receiving the beveled outer end of said inner shell, and means for adjusting said clamp axially of the trunnion comprising a bolt threaded in the trunnion end and projecting through said clamp with its operating head engaging the outer side of said clamp so as to be readily accessible externally of the suspension of said clamp when adjusted axially inwardly along said trunnion urging the beveled ends of the inner shell tightly into said sockets and thereby causing the beveled ends of said inner shell to be contracted substantially at the same time and crimped tightly about said trunnion.

ll. In a tandem axle vehicle suspension, a relatively stationary frame mounted trunnion, a spring seat mounted for oscillation about said trunnion, a resilient bushing interposed between the spring seat and trunnion comprising' a relatively thick sleeve of resilient material, an outer thin metal shell axially shorter than said sleeve tightly secured tosaid sleeve and said spring seat and an inner thin metal shell axially longer than said sleeve also tight with said sleeve and surrounding said trunnion, and means securing said inner shell to said trunnion comprising deformable ends on saidinner shell located axially beyond said sleeve, means providing a stationary frame mounted socket surrounding the inner end of said trunnion and adapted to coact with the inner end of said inner shell, and a clamp member mounted for axial adjustment on the outer end of said trunnion having a similar vsocket for coacting with the outer end of said innerI shell, said clamp'member when adjusted axially inwardly with respect to said trunnion urging the ends of the inner shell into said sockets and thereby causing them to be deformably clamped tightly about said trunnion without clamping the adjacent ends of said resilient sleeve.

12. In the suspension dened in claim 11, means providing oppositely axially facing abutment surfaces on said frame and member adjacent said sockets at opposite sides of said spring seat.

13. In a tandem axle vehicle suspension, a relatively stationary trunnion, a spring seat mounted for oscillation about said trunnion, a relatively thick resilient bushing interposed between the spring seat and trunnion comprising a relatively thick sleeve of resilient material, an outer thin metal shell axially shorter than said sleeve tightly secured to said sleeve and said spring seat and an inner thin metal shell axially longer than said sleeve also tight with said sleeve and surrounding said trunnion, and means securing said inner shell to said trunnion comprising beveled ends on said inner shell axially beyond said sleeve, means providing an inclined frame mounted socket surrounding the inner end of said inner shell, and a cupshaped clamp member mounted for axial adjustment on the outer end of said trunnion having an inclined socket for receiving the beveled outer end of said inner shell, said clamp member when adjusted axially inwardly along said trunnion urging the beveled ends of the inner shell tightly into said sockets and thereby causing the beveled ends of said inner shell to be contracted and tightly crimped about said. trunnion substantially at the same time.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 861,717 Frankel July 30, 1907 1,140,978 Hart May 25, 1915 1,721,278 Nelson July 16, 19,29 1,794,782 Lord Mar. 3, 1931 2,048,256 Geyer July 21, 1936 2,096,530 Alden Oct. 19, 1937 2,116,254 Welker May 3, 1938 2,481,891 Van Raden Sept. 13, 1949 

